RENT IT NETWORK TENANT MANUAL

Transcription

1 RENT IT NETWORK TENANT MANUAL

2 RENT IT NETWORK TENANT MANUAL RIN Welcomes You... 4 Tenant Communication... 5 Telephone calls during office hours... 5 Voic After hours calls... 5 Emergency calls... 5 Maintenance requests... 5 Change of information Website... 6 General Office Information... 6 Address information... 6 Telephone... 6 Internet... 6 Office Hours... 7 Emergency information... 7 Protect Your Rental and Credit History... 7 Rental/lease agreement... 7 Moving Checklist... 7 Utility/Cable Companies... 7 Rental payments... 8 Fees/charges... 8 Maintenance reimbursement... 8 Care of the Property... 9 Getting to know your residence... 9 Maintenance... 9 Tenant Renovations/Alterations... 9 Tenant Maintenance responsibilities Procedures for requesting maintenance If there is an emergency Non-emergencies: Preventative cleaning tips Additional cleaning tips Energy saving tips Renters insurance Safety Tips Vacation checklist Holiday tips Emergency/disasters Drug free housing Frequently asked questions Giving your notice Setting up your move out inspection Preparing the Property

3 Cleaning Carpet Cleaning Draperies/window coverings/windows Replacements Landscape clean up Trash Painting Your security deposit refund RIN Additional Tenant Forms o Moving checklist/utility numbers o Emergency/disaster checklist o Tenant ACH request o Work order request o Add roommate request o Cable/satellite/TV request o Request to add pet o Partial notice to vacate o Notice to vacate Conclusion

4 550 N. Reo St. Suite 300 Tampa, Florida Bus (813) FAX (813) RIN WELCOMES YOU Rent It Network welcomes you as a new resident. RIN is an abbreviation used in lieu of the full company name, Rent It Network and is used throughout this Handbook. To achieve a successful tenant/management relationship, we prepared the RIN Tenant Handbook to assist you with your tenancy. We recommend that you keep it in a convenient location so that you can refer to it easily. You will find maintenance guidelines, rental payment instructions, general information, safety tips, vacation guidelines, emergency instructions, holiday tips, and more. We have also included forms for you to use when necessary. RIN wants you to be prepared throughout your tenancy. Therefore, we want to provide important information and documents that you may need in the future. The owner of the property has retained Rent It Network (RIN) as their Property Management Company and representative to manage the property you are renting. Therefore, you need to contact RIN when you need assistance and we have listed how on pages 4, 5, and 6. If you have questions or concerns on any of the information contained in this documentation, contact our office at any time. RIN is here to help you. We wish you a successful and enjoyable tenancy in your new residence. 4

5 TENANT COMMUNICATION On the next page, we have provided general office information. Communication makes a difference in any area of life, and it can only enhance your tenancy by letting RIN know what you need. Use the telephone, , the RIN website access, or written correspondence to contact us. What is important is that you DO contact us when you need assistance. Remember RIN is here to help you Telephone calls during office hours During office hours, there is normally a live person to answer your call. Please state the reason for your call, so that someone can assist you, or direct your call to the right party. Your management team may not be available or in the office, and one of the office team members may be able to help you with your request. Voic If, during the day you reach our voice mail system, use the extension number for the party you are trying to reach, and if they are not available, leave a message, complete with your name and the telephone numbers where RIN can reach you, both day and evening. Someone will return your call. The benefit of a voice mail system is the ability to leave a message twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. After hours calls Of course, the voice mail system will take all messages after hours (please refer to the hours on the next page). Emergency calls During normal office hours, immediately state if you have an emergency. If you reach the RIN voice mail system during office hours, or after the office is closed, immediately choose the emergency option, #3 or call Maintenance requests All Work Orders must be in writing, unless it is an emergency. You can access a work order online at the RIN website, RentItNetwork.com, at the RIN office, and in this tenant handbook. 5

6 Change of information It is important that you notify RIN of any changes in telephone, fax, cell numbers, or . An information change form is located in this handbook as well. is a great way to communicate and we request that you send your address to admin@rentitnetwork.com. RIN will put your address in our database. This enables our team to contact you quickly and efficiently, and when needed, send you important information. Please note that although communication by is encouraged, RIN does not accept notices to vacate by . RIN requires the Notice to Vacate in writing, and this form is included in the back of the RIN Tenant Handbook. Website The RIN website, RentItNetwork.com, contains important information for tenants. Visit it regularly to use the Tenant services. There, you can easily download necessary forms as needed. You can also send s to RIN directly from the website under the Contact Us page. GENERAL OFFICE INFORMATION Address information Mailing Address 550 N. Reo St. Suite 300 Tampa, Florida Street Address 550 N. Reo St. Suite 300 Tampa, Florida Telephone Business # FAX # Internet Website admin@rentitnetwork.com RentItNetwork.com 6

7 Office Hours Monday Friday AM 9:00 Monday Friday PM 5:00 Saturday By appointment only Sunday Closed Holidays Closed Emergency information Call choose option, 3 PROTECT YOUR RENTAL AND CREDIT HISTORY Some day you will eventually move out of the property. It is important that during your residency, you care for your rental history and credit. Most likely, you will either rent again or purchase a home. In either case, you will need good rental references and a good credit report. Avoid late rent payments, care for the property, and move out properly. Give RIN the pleasure of being able to provide a good reference for you when you vacate the property. Rental/lease agreement You received a copy of your rental/lease agreement and your move in inspection. We recommend that you keep this paperwork with this Handbook for easy reference. Please always remember a rental/lease agreement is a binding agreement. If you have any questions regarding your lease, please call your Regional Property Specialist. Moving Checklist There is a great checklist in this package for when you are moving. You will find the Moving Checklist in the back of this handbook. Utility/Cable Companies When you rented the property, RIN cancels the utilities, in the owner s name, on the 1 st day of your rental agreement. To avoid discontinuation of service, contact the utility companies immediately. 7

8 Rental payments Rent is due on the first of each month and late if not received by the fifth. If you know that you will have a delay or problem paying by the due date, contact your Regional Property Specialist immediately. Lack of communication can affect your payment record. RIN receives rental payments by: US mail In the RIN office By using ACH (Automated Clearing House) - this allows you to pay your rent online, saving you time. RIN does NOT accept rental payments in: Cash Rolled coin Credit cards Debit cards Post-dated checks Fees/charges If you fail to pay rent on time and in full, you could incur the following charges: Late fee the RIN late fee is specified in your lease. NSF Fee the fee charged as specified in your lease if your payment does not clear our account Maintenance charge RIN will bill you if you have made an appointment with a vendor but failed to meet them at the scheduled time. If RIN receives a service call billing, you are responsible for reimbursement. Maintenance reimbursement Generally, RIN assigns a vendor to perform work you request in your residence. However, if you have been instructed to pay a Vendor, do the following: Pay the bill or deductible and send the receipt to RIN. RIN will reimburse the amount due to you. Do NOT deduct the amount from your rent. 8

9 CARE OF THE PROPERTY Getting to know your residence When you move into a property, it is helpful to know where important items are located. Take the time to know or locate the: Main circuit breaker in the event power goes out Gas shut off valve turn off during emergencies/disasters for safety GFI plug(s) so you can check them if your plugs or appliances in the bathroom, kitchen, patio or garage fail to work Electric and/or gas meters to check your utility bills The main water shutoff valve in case of major flooding Water shutoff valves below the sinks and behind toilets in case of water leaks Method of cleaning for the oven so you use the right products Time bake knobs on the oven in the event the oven will not work, these may be on If you are uncertain about any of the above items, contact your Regional Property Specialist for help. MAINTENANCE When you rented the property, your lease contained details on maintenance items that you are responsible for. Please review them before requesting a work order. RIN has more tips in this handbook. Tenant Renovations/Alterations It is the RIN policy that tenants do not do repairs or alterations. You agreed to this in the RIN rental agreement/lease. If you do want to make a special request for renovation or repair to the property: Submit your request in writing before making any changes Do not proceed with any work until you are notified by RIN RIN will consult the owners to see if the request is acceptable to them If the request is acceptable to the owner, tenants must do one of the following prior to vacating the property: o Leave the alterations if this is part of the owner s condition to accept the alteration/repair o Return the property to its original state if this is part of the owner s condition to accept the alteration/repair and pay for any necessary repairs to restore the alteration/repair to its original state o Sign an RIN agreement regarding the alteration/repair 9

10 Tenant Maintenance responsibilities The property owner has a duty to maintain your residence to uniform codes of safety for landlord/tenant law. Therefore, RIN has provided you with the means to submit work orders when there are legitimate repairs. We want you to report maintenance items. However, there are items that are the tenant s responsibility and we have listed them below: Replacing smoke alarm batteries Replacing light bulbs with the correct size Replacing furnace filters, if applicable, every month, and every month Reporting non-functioning smoke alarms immediately if batteries do not solve the problem Reporting all necessary repairs Interior pest control Landscape cleanup if a service is not provided Reporting lack of landscape cleanup if a service IS provided in your rental agreement Landscape watering Reporting malfunctioning irrigation systems or sprinklers, even if it is the responsibility of an association Disposal of all garbage in the proper receptacles and using the weekly pick up service Screens NOTE: Please review your lease for complete details on your responsibilities for maintenance and repair Procedures for requesting maintenance Before calling RIN 1. Determine if there is a true emergency or a non-emergency. 2. Check to see if you can determine the cause of the problem that you are experiencing, unless you have an emergency. If there is an emergency There are few emergencies. An emergency is a life-threatening situation such as a fire, flood and/or uncontrollable water, electrical problem, smell of gas, etc.: Emergencies causing immediate danger such as fire, call 911 Emergencies involving gas call the gas company and if necessary, 911 Emergencies involving IMMEDIATE electrical danger, call the utility service or 911, After contacting one of the above sources, then call the RIN office and report the problem. Emergencies such as backed up plumbing, flooding, call the RIN at , and choose the maintenance option and if necessary, call 911. An emergency is not air-conditioning, non-working dishwasher, sprinklers, etc. 10

11 Non-emergencies: Fill out an online maintenance request. You may also Fax, mail, or bring the request to the RIN office. Work orders are available in this handbook. A RIN representative will assign a vendor to contact you. Vendors are required to make appointments with tenants unless you give us written permission to allow access Remember, this is a NON-EMERGENCY item and in most cases, the vendor will not be able to make an appointment immediately. Failure to show at an appointment can mean a charge to you. Therefore, be certain to call the RIN office as soon as possible if you are unable to make the appointment. If you do not hear from a vendor or repairperson within 5 7 business days, call the RIN office to inform us that a vendor has not contacted you. A RIN staff member will contact the vendor to find out the cause of the delay, and then inform you when to expect the vendor to call. After a repair has taken place, if you have trouble, call RIN and state you had a recent repair but there is still a problem. Recent repair means within the last 60 days. If you fail to report an unsolved recent repair, and there is further damage or expense, you may be responsible for the cost. Preventative cleaning tips Cleaning is easier when you use a preventative approach. Always put away food and wipe up food debris. Clean pet bowls regularly to avoid attracting ants and other insects. Do not allow grease to build up in kitchens; use a sponge and soapy water regularly on counter tops, stovetops, and hood filters. Avoid cooking with very high heat. This will add to more grease build-up and cause damage to appliances. It can also be dangerous. Avoid mildew by venting rooms and bathrooms properly, particularly after baths and showers. Clean bathroom tile or other surfaces regularly to prevent the buildup of grime. Clean toilets regularly to avoid buildup of grime, rings, and mildew. Mop tile, wood, and linoleum to avoid dust bunnies and the buildup of grime. Do not use wax on linoleum or tile. Do not use cleaning products on tile Vacuum all flooring regularly, particularly carpets. This will save in carpet cleaning bills. Regularly pick up debris and pet feces in outside areas. 11

12 Additional cleaning tips It is not always necessary to purchase expensive cleaning products. Vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, and salt are some inexpensive cleaning products with many uses. They also are helpful for people who have allergies to cleaning products. They can be better for the environment than commercial products Air freshener: o Place a bowl of vinegar in the kitchen or bathroom to absorb odors Drains o For a great once-a-month drain cleaner, pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain, follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar -- it will foam. Cover and let sit 30 minutes and then flush with cool water. o For stubborn, slow-running drains, pour 1-cup baking soda and 1-cup salt down the drain. Follow this with 2 quarts boiling water. Let sit 30 minutes, and then flush with cool water. Tile countertops: o To clean ceramic tile, where mold and mildew accumulate, use a combination of 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1-gallon warm water, and 1-cup ammonia. o Alternatively, regularly clean kitchen surfaces by using a spray bottle mixed with ½-cup vinegar and a quart of water. Glass cleaner: o When glass-cleaning products leave residue on bathroom mirrors, mix 3 tablespoons of vinegar with a quart of water in a clean plastic spray bottle. o Spray glass and wipe with a clean paper towel. Dishwasher: o Empty the dishwasher, pour in a ¼ cup of vinegar, and run the dishwasher again. o Even if you prefer not to use the dishwasher, run at least once a week to keep seals from becoming hard and cracked. Refrigerators o Clean regularly and place a cup of baking soda in a bowl on a refrigerator shelf to absorb odors. o A cup of dry unused coffee grinds can also absorb odors when placed on a refrigerator shelf. Washing machine: o A half cup of baking soda can be added to the washing machine with regular detergent to help with mild odors Toilets: o Remove waterline marks in the toilet bowl by pouring in 2 cups of white vinegar. Let soak overnight, then flush to rinse. If this does not work, rub the waterline mark with a wet pumice stone. Carpet stains: o Vacuum the carpet if the stain is dry. 12

13 o If the stain is still wet, blot gently to remove excess blot, do NOT rub. o Lightly soak the carpet stain with clean water first to remove the stain blot, do NOT rub. o If the stain remains, mix a 3 Tablespoons of vinegar with a quart of water in a spray bottle and spray the stain; blot again; do NOT rub. o If this fails, consult a professional carpet cleaner immediately; the longer you wait may mean the stain may not come out. Carpet odor: o Regular vacuuming cures most carpet odors, but if carpet odors persist, lightly sprinkle the carpet with baking soda and vacuum thoroughly, removing all baking soda from carpet. Repeat if necessary. Energy saving tips Saving water is important for the environment and can mean a lower utility bill for your residence as well: Always report water leaks to RIN as soon as possible o Report water dripping under sinks o Running toilets are big water wasters o Report malfunctioning sprinklers o Report standing pools of water o Report malfunctioning water appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines that come with the property Run the dishwasher when it is fully loaded. Replace your old washing machine with an energy efficient one you could save the cost of the machine in water and energy bills. Check water hoses on washing machines for leaks; change hoses every three years. Adjust the water level to match the load, using less water for small loads. Avoid using flushing toilets to dispose of ordinary trash. Take shorter showers. Avoid letting the water continually run while shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing your face Be sure your water heater temperature is set properly. Note: do not turn the water heater up to hi, this is a dangerous temperature level. Counsel all children on how to prevent wasting water. Do not over water landscaping; it is not healthy for plants and simply wastes water. To lower air-conditioning bills: During warm or hot months, close the windows and doors to your home early in the day to keep cool air in, particularly when the air-conditioner is running. Close window coverings on the sunny side of the house during different times of the day; this can lower the temperature dramatically. Replace the air filter often and with the right size, monthly. A clean filter helps the airconditioner to run more efficiently. 13

14 When leaving your residence, turn the air-conditioner up a few degrees, a closed house without activity normally stays cooler. This is particularly important when going on vacation. There is no reason to keep the residence in a frigid state while you are gone, but do not turn the air off on very hot days it will only take longer and more energy to cool down. To lower heating bills: During the cooler months, keep all windows and doors tightly closed. Report any major drafts to the RIN office. Use a reasonable level of heat in the residence. Sometimes, turning down the heat just a few degrees can reduce an energy bill. Turn the heat down during the night and use warm covers and comforters. When leaving home, turn down the temperature on the thermostat. Do not turn the heat completely off. It will take more heat for a cold house than it will save. In addition, this could cause pipes to freeze, which will cause more problems. Replace the furnace filter monthly. A clean filter helps the furnace to run more efficiently Renters insurance Property owners generally carry a standard fire and liability policy, and have additional coverage with landlord/rental insurance, but they normally cannot cover the contents or possessions of the resident. The reason that insurance companies do not provide this type of coverage is because they are non-owner occupied properties. Therefore, it is very important for you to have adequate insurance coverage for your contents. If you think it is not important, sit down and write out a list of your possessions in one column. In a second column, list how much it would cost to replace them. You will be surprised how the list can really add up. Contact an insurance agent if you do not have renters insurance. You can find them by searching the Internet, or ask a friend. The Internet can also provide both information and comparisonshopping. To avoid a loss, acquire renters insurance now. 14

15 Safety Tips The safety of you and your family is important to RIN and many things can affect it. Here are some tips to follow: Unplug all heat-producing appliances like toasters, irons, and coffee makers when they are not in use to prevent fire hazards. Never leave a stove or oven unattended; turn off all stove and oven appliances when you leave the house. Never leave heating pads and electric blankets on indefinitely and turn them off when you leave the residence to prevent fire hazards. Never leave water running unattended in a plugged bathtub or when leaving the residence. If you have an upstairs bathroom and you see water in the ceiling below, particularly in a light fixture, report the leak immediately to RIN. Do not operate electrical appliances while standing or sitting in water. Avoid using blow dryers, curling irons, radios, TVs, or other appliances while in a bathtub or over a sink filled with water. If you have small children, use child protector plugs when you are not using outlets Do not overload extension cords with too many appliances. Place lamps on level surfaces and use the correct wattage. Avoid running extension cords over walkways, under rugs, or any other place that could cause tripping. If you suspect an electrical problem, report it to RIN immediately. Do not remove smoke alarms, particularly if they are beeping. Smoke alarms are for safety and removing them can endanger all residents and guests. Change the batteries if needed. Do not allow children to leave toys on walkways and sidewalks. Replace outside light bulbs so you can utilize lights properly when it is dark. Keep a portable fire extinguisher in the kitchen and the garage; they are available in hardware supply stores. If you use a grill or BBQ, use common sense, never leave grills unattended. If you have a fireplace, be sure to store hot ashes and coals away from the residence. Do not place ashes in garbage receptacles unless certain they are cold. Do not store fireplace wood against the residence. Always be certain the damper is open before starting a fire in the fireplace. Vacation checklist When going on vacation, here are items to check before leaving: If going out of town for an extended period, please notify RIN how long you will be gone, and supply an emergency telephone number. Then should any problems arise concerning your residence, there is someone to contact. Check your rent payment to ensure it will not become delinquent. It would be a sad thing to come home to a late notice and charges. 15

16 Notify all necessary parties such as your next-door neighbors, the paper delivery person, the post office, or any related service people. By doing so, you will avoid any panic that something is wrong. Select someone to pick up items on your doorstep to avoid giving signals to dishonest people. If leaving a vehicle in the driveway, remove any valuables and garage door openers that can be stolen, giving access to your home. Put garbage cans away or arrange for someone to take care of it. Place valuables and jewelry in a safe deposit box. Avoid leaving a message on your answering device telling people you are out of town and for how long. Set timers on interior lights, to deter burglars. Be sure to check all windows, window locks, and doors before leaving. If you have an alarm, be sure to set it. Turn off the water valve to your washing machine. Turn off all appliances, large and small, such as stove burners, coffee pots, irons, curling irons, etc. Unplug TVs and computers in the event of lightning or power surges. Turn your water heater to low or vacation setting, but do not turn the water heater off. Anything else living in your house besides you, such as plants or pets? Then be sure to water plants and have someone take care of your animals. Do not leave pets in the residence unless a reliable person is going to care for them daily Holiday tips Everyone enjoys the different holidays, but it is important to exercise care during the celebrations and remove decorations when each season is over. Please note that some communities and associations do not allow the hanging of lights and decoration on the exterior of the home. Ask before you do Hang lights and decorations properly and carefully. Before hanging, check for bad plugs and loose wires. If you find defects, dispose of the lights. Only use lights and decorations during holiday seasons; remove them immediately when the season ends. Dispose of holiday trees properly; never burn them in a fireplace. If you use extension cords, do not overload, do not staple them to the residence, and if outside, use only cords approved for outside use. Never leave holiday lights on when leaving your residence to avoid fire danger. For fireworks celebrations: o Do not use illegal, dangerous, or explosive devices. o Only buy legal fireworks and check where you can use them. o Use common sense safety rules with fireworks. o Do not use fireworks in or around your residence. o Keep all fireworks away from any dry grass, trees, or roofs. o Attend a fireworks celebration instead of buying them and enjoy the fun without the responsibility. 16

17 Emergency/disasters Unfortunately, emergencies and disasters happen all around the world. The best solution is to be prepared. In the back of this Handbook, you will find a convenient Emergency/Disaster Checklist that has items to do before and during an emergency/disaster. There are different emergencies Maintenance emergencies: o Please follow the maintenance instructions and call RIN when appropriate. o RIN requests that you treat the RIN staff courteously while under stress of the situation we will do everything we can to help you as soon as possible. Area emergencies or disasters: o Be prepared and use the RIN Emergency/Disaster checklist enclosed with this information. o When major emergencies or disasters such as a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or some other force of nature occur, everyone experiences great inconvenience and difficulty. Remember this and be considerate of others and the degrees of different problems. o RIN requests that you call emergency services first in a disaster. o Then notify the RIN office as soon as possible what has happened. o RIN will assign priorities to work and during an area emergency/disaster, will work to assist you as much as possible o When calling the RIN office, we ask you to be patient and calmly state what problems you are experiencing. We will handle the problems as quickly as possible. Drug free housing RIN has a drug-free policy for tenants and it is a requirement of your tenancy as outlined in your rental agreement. However, people can encounter drug problems from other residents from the lowest income neighborhood to the highest. We want you to be aware of signs of potential drug problems in any neighborhood. Do not approach a house or building if you smell a strong chemical odor. Report it to the authorities. Drug houses may contain volatile chemicals and can easily explode. Do not pick up abandoned purses, suitcases, filled bottles, or packages. People place meth labs in objects of many shapes and sizes. They are highly explosive and dangerous; report any unusual or abandoned object to the authorities. Do not attempt to examine it yourself. If you see constant pedestrian or vehicle traffic in your neighborhood at all times of the day and particularly at night, it could be a drug house, particularly if you observe high security precautions surrounding the property. First, report unusual and disturbing activities in your neighborhood to the authorities, and then notify RIN of your suspicions as soon as possible. Educate and train children of all ages for the signs of drug activities or a drug house. 17

18 Be aware and be alert a drug house or drug activities are a danger anywhere and to everyone. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS RIN has put together a list of the most frequently asked tenant questions that may answer many of your concerns in advance. Why did I receive a notice about late rent payment? When the rent is not paid according to the terms of your lease, we begin preparing Notices to Pay or Quit. Obviously, we served the notice before we received payment. RIN serves Notices based on state landlord/tenant law requirements and their obligations to the owner of the property. I did not have a pet when I moved in; can I have a pet now? Notify your Regional Property Specialist of your request for a pet. Do not move a pet into the property without permission. The Regional Property Specialist will contact the owner and submit your request. If the owner does allow a pet, a non-refundable pet fee will be required and a pet agreement signed. If the owner says no, abide by the decision and your rental agreement. What happens if I want another pet? Notify your RIN Regional Property Specialist what pet you want. They will contact the owner and submit your request. If the owner does allow a pet, an additional pet fee may be required and a pet agreement signed. My roommate wants to move, but I want to stay. What do I do now? Your roommate needs to contact the Regional Property Specialist to see if this is an option. In addition, RIN will need documentation from you to show you can support the property by yourself. RIN will not partially refund part of the security deposit to your roommate since it is a condition of your rental agreement. You and your roommate will have to settle any funds owed to each other, including any or all of the security deposit. I want to add a roommate, now what do I do? The prospective roommate will have to submit an application and RIN must approve the person PRIOR to them moving into the property. If RIN denies the applicant, they cannot move into the property. If approved, you and the approved applicant must sign new rental/lease agreements. Why do the owners want to see the property? The owners are showing responsibility toward the maintenance of the property, the condition, and their investment. It is also their right to see the property, but they respect that it is your residence. It is also nothing to fear. This is why RIN contacted you first to set a date and time. 18

19 Giving your notice Eventually, you will move, and we want you to be prepared when this is necessary. RIN tenants are typically required to give a 60 day notice prior to moving. We have provided in this information a Notice to Vacate from Tenant Form to be used when you anticipate moving. Before giving notice: Check your rental agreement/lease to see if you are eligible to give notice. It will specifically state when you can give notice. A lease is a binding agreement for a set period and you may still be bound to the lease. If you need to move and you are still committed to a lease period, contact your Regional Property Specilaist to discuss your options. Notices must be in writing. The day RIN receives the notice is the date the notice begins. For example, do not fill out a notice with the current date and mail it five days later, thinking the date you mailed is the notice date. RIN does not accept notices by because of lack of signature; RIN does accept notices by fax. RIN does not provide rental history to other landlords/property management companies unless tenants submit a written Notice to Vacate and the tenant gives the authority to RIN to give out rental references. Setting up your move out inspection After you submit your Notice to Vacate, RIN will send you a move out check list to assist you in preparing for your move out inspection. It is the responsibility of the resident to deliver all keys and openers to RIN. Failure to deliver keys and openers could incur additional charges. RIN will conduct the move out inspection after you have completely vacated the property and have delivered your keys and openers Remember to supply a forwarding address and telephone number for your security deposit refund. 19

20 PREPARING THE PROPERTY When you are ready to move, if you have questions on how to prepare your residence, please call your Regional Property Specialist and discuss your concerns with them. We want your move to be a pleasant and successful one. The following are the steps to take for your move. Cleaning o Have the property clean throughout the interior and the exterior. o This includes vinyl or tile floors, windows inside and out, window sills and door casings, mini-blinds, wiping out drawers and shelves, all appliances, sinks, toilets, bath tubs, showers, vanities, light fixtures, fireplaces, removal of cobwebs inside and out, etc. o Tenant caused dirt is not normal wear and tear. o Pick up debris and animal feces on the exterior of the property and place them in the proper trash receptacles. Carpet Cleaning. o You will be charged 100% at all times, if you have had pets and/or you have soiled carpets exceeding normal wear and tear. o Do NOT rent carpet-cleaning machines, use home cleaning machines, or employ chemical cleaning companies. Only professional truck-mounted steam cleaning from a reputable company is accepted. o Call RIN for a recommendation on a carpet cleaner who will give you reasonable rates on carpet cleaning. o If you hire another carpet cleaner, the carpet cleaner must guarantee their work to the satisfaction of RIN, and a receipt is required. o Tenants, please note: RIN will not reimburse for any carpet cleaning contracted by tenants. Draperies/window coverings/windows o Do NOT wash draperies. o You are not expected to dry clean draperies unless: You have caused excessive soil or allowed water damage from open windows. Draperies with water stains could require replacement. Discuss this with your management team. You have not been using the draperies provided and/or have not kept them in good condition o Wipe all mini blinds do not use harsh chemicals on the blinds. o Clean all windows inside and out. 20

21 Replacements o The following must be in working order to avoid charges when moving out: Burned out light bulbs Non-working smoke detector batteries Missing doorstops Furnace filters - change the filter just before you vacate the property, and make sure you use the correct size. Landscape clean up o The outside area is to be neatly mowed, trimmed, pruned, fertilized, and watered for outside areas that apply in your rental contract. o Remove all trash and debris, placing in the proper receptacles. o Remove grease or oil drips; dispose of motor oil properly it does not belong in the garbage receptacles. o Pick up any animal feces whether you have an animal or not. o If you are responsible for pool cleaning and maintenance, make sure this is completed just prior to move out Trash o If you have trash that exceeds the normal pickup, you are to arrange to have it hauled away at your expense. o Place all other trash within the appropriate trash receptacles for normal trash removal. o Do not overflow trash receptacles. Painting o We request that you do not spackle, putty, or touch up paint unless sure the paint will match. o Charges can occur if unnecessary painting is required due to tenant painting. o Charges for painting depend on whether it exceeds normal wear and tear, and the length of time in the property. Your security deposit refund When you follow the move out procedures and leave the property in good condition, it simplifies the task of refunding your security deposit. RIN remits security deposit disposition forms within 15 days if there is not a claim on the deposit and within 30 days if the landlord intends to impose a claim on the security deposit. This is in accordance with the state landlord/tenant law. Remember, RIN wants your move out to be a pleasant and successful process. 21

22 RIN ADDITIONAL TENANT FORMS We have put together the following forms that could be useful to you in the future. If you need more forms, contact the RIN office. o Moving checklist/utility numbers o Emergency/disaster checklist o Tenant ACH request o Work order request o Add roommate request o Cable/satellite/TV request o Request to add pet o Partial notice to vacate o Notice to vacate 22

23 CONCLUSION We hope that you have found the RIN Tenant Handbook useful and informative. It is our goal to prepare you for a successful tenancy and a pleasant move out when this occurs. If you have any questions on the enclosed information, please contact your RIN management team. Have a successful residency Rent It Network 23

24 Before moving, notify: RIN Moving Checklist/Utility Numbers Contact moving company Notify US Post Office forwarding address Notify current schools Notify magazine companies Notify newspapers Send just moved announcements to friends and relatives Notify banks, credit unions, savings & loans Notify doctors, dentists Notify current electric company Notify current gas company Notify current water company Notify new schools Notify new electric company Notify new gas company Notify new water company Re-register to vote 24

25 Pre- Emergency/Disaster Checklist: RIN Emergency/Disaster Checklist Take the time to review and implement this list it could be a lifesaver. Take an inventory of your belongings, complete with photos, descriptions, and serial numbers. Items to list are TVs, VCRs, stereos, cameras, camcorders, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, or anything of value Know where the shut off valves are in your residence, review the RIN Tenant Handbook, getting to know your residence Keep copies of important papers stored in a safety deposit box Make sure your renters insurance is current at all times Discuss with your family or other residents what emergency procedures you will use and post them in the kitchen, office area, etc. Plan escape routes in the event of fire and inform every resident of the routes, including children Teach children how to use 911 or call for other services Always maintain a reserve of bottled water/drinks and non-perishable foods in your residence, along with a manual can opener. Have a portable radio with plenty of extra batteries and the right kind for the radio Have two or more flashlights with the extra batteries and for the right kind the flashlight Have large long-burning candles and matches available Have an adequate first aid kit and replace items when necessary Keep your cellular phone charged Use this list when an emergency/disaster occurs: In a gas leak is possible during an emergency/disaster, immediately turn off the gas valve Keep your car in the driveway, if it is practical, for any necessary evacuation Call only to access help and NOT to learn news Call RIN when it is practical, but remember that RIN will do what they can to help you, but is not an emergency service. Many repairs will have to wait until the emergency/disaster passes Only call people when necessary and have an emergency contact outside your area who can notify other people Limit use of the telephones during emergencies/disaster to avoid overloading the circuits Unplug or turn off major lights and appliances - such as space heaters, washers, dryers, computers, TVs, etc. Several appliances coming back on at the same time may overload circuits or hot appliances may come on while you are away or asleep causing fire hazards Leave a single light on to alert you that power is restored If you use candles and matches, do it safely you do not want to create another problem Limit cell phone usage or use your car to charge batteries If you have to call emergency services, be calm, state your problem, and be patient. Emergency services will be overloaded. If you have standing water in a room, do not enter if the electricity is on; try to wait for a professional Do not vacuum wet floors or carpets unless you have the right equipment for water removal. Using a normal vacuum is dangerous with water Only open freezers and refrigerators when necessary to avoid losing food as long as you can Conserve water and food when disaster occurs If you are in a car when power lines fall, remain in the car until you can get help or you are certain that it is safe to do so; then jump clear of the car, not touching any metal. 25

26 RIN TENANT WORK ORDER REQUEST Date of request Tenant Home # Tenant Work # Address Work # City Mobile # Work Requested please list items separately Signature of Tenant Date 26

27 ADD PET REQUEST Date: To: Re: Rent It Network, agent for owner Request for pet (list type and age): 1. We are requesting to have the above listed pet 2. We certify that the pet has had all required shots by a licensed veterinarian and have attached proof for this. 3. We further understand that RIN could approve or deny our request. 4. We certify that the pet is not currently residing in the property 5. If our request is denied, the above pet will not be moved into the property 6. If our request is approved, we understand that all tenants currently on the rental agreement must sign a pet addendum. 7. We understand that all current tenants must sign this request. 8. If the owner and RIN approve the pet, all the undersigned tenants are responsible for this pet, its care, and any damages that could occur. Tenant Date Tenant Date Tenant Date Tenant Date Tenant Date Rent It Network Date 27